Jack-in-the-box with phonograph



Oct. 14, 1969 M. GLASS ETAL JACK-IN-THE-BOX WITH PHONOGRAPH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 5, 1968 INVENTORS MAM AV 5 GLASS BY g y ATTO 2 SheetsSheet 2 M. l. GLASS ET AL FOP JACK-IN-THE-BOX WITH PHONOGRAPH Oct. 14, 1969 Filed May 5, 1968 INVENTORS MAFW/VLGLASS lllllllllllllllllli United States Patent 3,471,965 JACK-IN-THE-EOX WITH PHONOGRAPH Marvin I. Glass, Chicago, and Palmer .I. Schoenfieltl, Evanston, 11]., assignors to Marvin Glass & Associates, Chicago, 1th, a partnership Filed May 3, 1968, Ser. No. 726,344 Int. Cl. A63h /00, 13/16 US. Cl. 46-118 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A jack-in-the-box type toy including unique physical action coupled with coordinated sound reproduction. The physical action and sound reproduction mechanisms are automatically reset during operation to provide continuous recycling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a toy or entertainment device. It more particularly relates to a jack-in-the-box type toy capable of producing amusing physical action accompanied by coordinated sound reproduction.

A jack-in-the-box provides entertainment by producing an unexpected and humorous action in responset to manipulation of some form of operating mechanism. Normally, a jack-in-the-box includes a fanciful figure or doll retained within a box or housing having a latched lid. The fanciful figure remains enclosed beneath the latched lid until the lid is released causing the figure to leap from the box producing a humorous surprise. Operation of the device generally produces an accompanying sound such as music or rhyme to further maximize the entertainment quality. To repeat the action of the device,

it is generally necessary to return the figure to its initial position within the box and latch the lid.

Toys of this type have been in existence for many years and have successfully achieved the desired objective of entertainment and amusement.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a jack-in-the-box type toy having a unique form of physical movement designed to provide an even more entertaining visual effect accompanied by coordinated sound reproduction and which eliminates the need for manually resetting the mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Very generally, this invention relates to a jack-in-thebox type toy which produces a novel physical action accompanied by sound reproduction and which, upon completion of one cycle of events, is immediately available for repetition of the cycle. It includes a box-like housing within which is disposed a fanciful doll figure. Operation of the device causes the doll figure to slowly rise from the housing until a predetermined maximum extended position is reached. At that point, and to the surprise and entertainment of the viewer, the figure unexpectedly and very rapidly returns to its original position in the box. Simultaneously with the movement, a sound reproduction mechanism produces music or rhyme coordinated with the physical movement to add to the enjoyment of the toy. Means provided internally of the case reset the mechanism for repetition of the cycle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURES 1a through 1d are perspective views of an embodiment of the invention illustrating various conditions of physical action.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational, sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURES 1a through 1d illustrating various features of the invention;

3,471,965 Patented Oct. 14, 1969 FIGURE 3 is a sectional, side elevational view of the apparatus of FIGURE 2 taken generally along the line 33 of that figure;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional, side elevational view of the apparatus of FIGURE 2 taken generally along the line 44 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIGURE 2 illustrating various other features of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIGURE 2 taken generally along the line 66 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view, partially in section, on an enlarged scale of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 2 illustrating various other features of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring specifically to the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of a jackin-the-box type toy which is illustrative of the principles of the present invention.

The illustrated embodiment includes a hollow boxlike case or housing 12, a fanciful figure or doll 14, an operating mechanism 16, and a sound reproducing mechanism 18 including a reset mechanism 20. These elements, upon actuation of the operating mechanism 16, combine to produce a unique physical action accompanied by amusing sound reproduction and additionally provide for automatic reset of the device upon completion of a cycle.

The case or housing 12 includes four side walls 22, a bottom wall 24 and a top wall 26 including a generally square opening 28. The top wall 26 includes a peripheral retention flange 30 surrounding the opening 28 which is depressed slightly from the plane of the top wall. A generally square lid 32 is supported in overlying relation to the opening 28 by the flange 30. A hinge 34 connected between the lid 32 and the flange 30 allows pivotal movement of the lid between open and closed positions. In the maximum open position the hinge 34 retains the lid 32 in a generally vertical position as shown in FIG- URE 1c.

The lid 32 includes a pair of spaced apart brackets 35 adjacent the hinge 34 pivotally supporting a formed wire 36 (see FIGURE 8). The wire defines a pair of spaced apart generally U-shaped contacts 37 normally extending generally perpendicularly of the lid 32. The wire 36 further defines a reaction arm 38 normally disposed in contact with the lid 32 intermediate the contacts 37. As can be seen, application of force in one direction upon the contacts 37 will cause the wire to pivot within the brackets 35 lifting the reaction arm 38 away from the lid 32. Application of force in the opposite direction will urge reaction arm 38 against the lid 32 preventing pivotal movement of the wire. This wire, cooperates with portions of the doll figure 14 to accomplish closure of the lid 32 in a manner as will be explained.

The fanciful figure or doll 14 is disposed within the case 12 intermediate the bottom wall 24 and the lid 32 in general alignment with the opening 28 so that it may be extended through the opening upon operation of the mechanism 16.

The doll figure includes a head portion 39 and a body drape 40 and is supported upon elevating means connected to the bottom wall 24 of the case.

The head portion 39 includes a comical face 42, a flared neck portion 44 and a planar mounting base 46 including apertures 47.

The body drape 40 is secured to the neck portion 44 by a resilient band 48 and extends downwardly to the bottom wall 24 of the case in surrounding relation to the elevating linkage to conceal the linkage when the doll figure is extended from the case. The body drape may be connected to the bottom wall 24 and is of suflicient length to allow substantial extension of the figure 14 from the case as best seen in FIGURE 10.

The elevating means includes a support bracket 50, scissors linkage 52 and head mounting bracket 54.

The support bracket 50 is generally channel shaped and includes a bottom wall 56 affixed to the bottom wall 24 of the case 12 and a pair of up-standing parallel side walls 58. The up-standing side walls include aligned apertures 60 formed adjacent one end and aligned, elongated slots 62 adjacent the opposite end which extend slightly obliquely in a downward direction toward the apertures 60.

The head mounting bracket 54 includes a planar mounting surface 64 provided with up-standing tabs 74 which extend into the apertures 47 of the head mounting base 46 to secure the head portion 39 to the mounting bracket 54. The planar mounting surface 64 is further provided with a transversely extending actuator 76 at one end. The fanciful figure 14 is oriented within the case 12 such that upon extension of the figure 14 from the case through the opening 28, the actuator 76 will contact the two U-shaped contacts 37 of the formed wire 36 causing it to pivot within the brackets 35. Similarly, when the figure 14 returns to the case 12, the actuator 76 will contact the U-shaped contacts 37 urging the reaction arm 38 against the lid 32.

The mounting bracket 54 further includes a depending tab 66 positioned at an end of the bracket in general orientation with the apertures 60 of the support bracket 50. The depending tab 66 is disposed generally along the longitudinal axis of the bracket and is provided with an aperture 68. The bracket 54 further includes a depending elongated tab 70 adjacent the actuator 76 which is also generally centrally disposed along the longitudinal axis of the bracket 54 and which includes an elongated slot 72.

The scissors linkage 52, best seen in FIGURES 2, 4 and is adapted to accomplish upward movement of the head portion outwardly of the case 12 upon operation of the operating mechanism 16. It includes a plurality of channel shaped links 78 alternately connected at their centers by hinge pins 80 and at their ends by hinge pins 82 to form a series of pivotable parallelogram structures capable of being extended and retracted. A pair of lowermost links 78 are connected at their ends 84 and 86 to the support bracket 50 at the aligned apertures 60 and aligned slots 62, respectively, by mounting pins 88. The width of the links 78 is equal to approximately one-half of the distance between the up-standing parallel side walls 58 of the support bracket 50 and therefore spacers 90 are provided to prevent undesirable lateral movement of the lowermost links during operation.

Similarly, and as best seen in FIGURE 4, a pair of uppermost links 78 are connected at their ends 92 and 94 to the head mounting bracket 54 at the aperture 68 of depending tab 66 and the slot 72 of depending elongated tab 70 by mounting pins 96.

As can be readily appreciated, the end of the lowermost link connected to the support bracket 50 at the aligned apertures 60 and the end of the uppermost link connected to the head mounting bracket 54 at the aperture 68 are free to pivot in a manner similar to the pivotal connections at the ends of the links connected by pins 82. They are, however, relatively fixed in that they are incapable of longitudinal movement with respect to the support bracket 50 or head mounting bracket 54. Additionally, the end of the lowermost link connected to the support bracket 50 at the aligned slots 62 and the end of the uppermost link connected to the head mounting bracket 54 at the slot 72 are free to move along the slots toward and away from the relatively fixed ends.

Movement of the end 86 of the lowermost link along the slot 62 in a direction toward the end 84 supported in the apertures 60 will cause corresponding action between the connected links changing the slope of the defined parallelograms resulting in upward movement of the head mounting bracket 54. Movement of the end of the lowermost link in a direction away from the relatively fixed link pivotally supported at the aperture 60 will cause downward movement of the head mounting bracket. In this manner the desired extension and retraction of the head portion 36 and body drape 40 of the doll figure 14 is achieved.

Turning now to the operating mechanism 16, best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3, there is provided, internally of the case 12, a generally vertical wall 98 disposed intermediate the fanciful figure 14 and one side wall 22. The wall 98 is generally parallel to the above mentioned side wall and to the links 78 of the scissors linkage 52. It extends across the width of the casing between the side walls adjoining the parallel side wall.

A lower end of the wall 98 is secured to the bottom wall 24 of the casing and an upper end, spaced from the top wall 26 of the case is connected to the parallel side wall by a horizontal support 101 having a fastening tab 102. The horizontal support includes a T-shaped slot 103 in general vertical alignment with the portion of the retention flange 30 of the top wall 26 which is disposed opposite the hinge 34.

A channel shaped bracket 104 including outwardly directed flanges is secured to the vertical wall 98 adjacent one adjoining side wall intermediate the vertical wall 98 and the parallel side wall 22 of the case 12. The bracket 104 includes a vertical wall 106 which defines, with the vertical wall 98, a gear housing or chamber 108. The bracket further includes a horizontally directed stop surface 110 including a slot 112 disposed in generally the same vertical plane as the slot 103.

The operating mechanism 16 further includes an operation crank 114 rotatably supported by the vertical wall 98 and vertical wall 106. The crank 114 extends through an appropriately formed aperture in the parallel side wall 22 and includes a rotatable handle 116 disposed outwardly of the casing 12. The opposite end of the crank 114 terminates within the gear housing 108 and is provided with a drive pinion 118 fixed to the crank for rotation therewith.

The pinion 118 is disposed in operative engagement with a speed reduction gear set 120 which is, in turn, operatively coupled to an output shaft 122.

The gear set includes an output driven gear 124 fixed to the shaft 122 for rotation therewith, and an intermediate gear and pinion 126 respectively engaged with the drive pinion 118 and the output driven gear 124. The intermediate gear 124 and the output shaft 122 are also rotatably supported by the gear chamber vertical walls 98 and 106.

The intermeshed relationship of the gear set provides for a reduction in rotational speed of the output shaft 122 as compared with the rotational speed of the operating crank 114. That is to say, one revolution of the output shaft 124 requires many revolutions of the operating crank 114. The exact relationship is, of course, determined by the number of teeth in each of the gears of the gear set.

The output shaft 122 extends outwardly of the gear chamber 108 in a direction toward the scissors linkage 52. It terminates in a free end provided with a take-u reel 128 disposed in general alignment with the scissors linkage 52. The reel 128 is fixed for rotation with the shaft and a bracket 130 secured to the bottom wall 24 of the case 12 rotatably supports the shaft and take-up reel.

The take-up reel 128 includes a V-shaped groove 132 extending about the majority of its periphery and release means in the form of a tapered release ramp 134 intern rupting the groove at one point and tapering in a direction away from the output shaft 122. An elevating string or cable 136 is secured between the take-up reel 128 and the pin 88 supporting the end 86 of the lowermost link within the slots 62 (see FIGURE 4). The cable is fixed to the take-up reel 128 within the groove 132 so that rotation of the output shaft and reel will cause the cable to be wound upon the reel within the groove 132. It is affixed such that it can revolve about its own axis and is connected to the pin 88 by a swivel 138 for that same purpose. This arrangement prevents twisting or coiling of the cable during use.

Operation of the crank 114 causes the output shaft to rotate slowly. The elevating cable 136 is wound onto the take-up reel within the groove 132 reducing its effective length and tensioning the cable between the reel and the end 86 of the lowermost link. This causes the cable to impart an elevating force to the link. The end 86 of the lowermost link travels in response to the continually shortened cable along the aligned slots 62 in a direction toward the end 84 of the lowermost link pivoted at the aligned apertures 60. The scissors linkage 52 slowly expands extending the doll figure 14 from the opening 28 of the case 12.

As the reel 128 continues to rotate, the cable reaches the portion of the groove interrupted by the release ramp 134. At a predetermined critical contact between the ramp and the cable the tension forces cause the cable 132 to slip from the reel reestablishing its original effective length and allowing the scissors linkage 52 to collapse by gravitational force to its initial position rapidly returning the doll FIGURE 14 to the case.

The second reproduction mechanism 18 adapted to provide coordinated sound associated with the physical action of the doll or fanciful figure 14 is best seen in FIG URES 3, 6 and 7.

The sound reproduction mechanism includes a record disc 140, a pickup arm 142 and a speaker 144.

The record disc 140 is aflixed to the operating crank 114 for rotation therewith and consequently rotates at a more rapid speed than the output shaft 122. The record disc is capable of making many revolutions during a single revolution of the output shaft and take-up reel 128.

The record disc includes signal producing means in the form of a spiral groove. The groove is irregular in that it varies in depth and thereby transmits vibratory oscillations to the pickup arm for reproduction of sound. Because of the relative rotational speeds of the crank 114 and the output shaft 122 a relatively long message may be inscribed upon the record disc.

The speaker 144 is generally vertically disposed and includes a sound producing cone 146, a pickup fulcrum 148 and a support ring 150.

The support ring 150 is connected to the vertical wall 98 by a support bracket 152 and to the bottom wall 24 of the case by a web 154 best seen in FIGURE 3.

The cone 146 is asymmetrical and diverges from the support ring 150 to the pickup fulcrum 148 in a directio n toward the vertical wall (see FIGURE 6).

The pickup arm 142 includes a pivot support 156 retained by a pin 158 extending between the wall 98 and the speaker support ring 150. The pivot support includes a conical aperture 159 having a minimum diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the pin 158. This allows not only pivotal movement about the pin 158 but also limited arcuate movement toward and away from the wall 98 and the pivot support 156 urging the support in a direction away from the wall.

The pickup arm 142 also includes a head 162 at its opposite end overlying the horizontally disposed stop surface 110 of the bracket 104 and adapted for periodic contact with the stop surface as will be explained. The head 162 includes a stylus 164 for engagement with the record groove to receive initial vibratory signals upon relative movement of the record disc 1'40 with respect to the stylus 164.

A central portion of the pickup arm 142 defines a transmitting bar 166 best seen in FIGURE 6 which is urged into contact with the pickup fulcrum 148 to transmit sound producing vibration to the cone 146 for amplification.

As stated, the spring 160 urges the pivot support 156 of the pickup arm 142 in a direction away from the wall 98. This action in turn urges the transmitting bar 166 into continuous operative engagement with the pickup fulcrum 148 of the speaker 144. The opposite end of the pickup arm is consequently urged in a direction toward the record disc 140 causing effective engagement between the stylus 164 and the record groove. As the record is rotated, the stylus moves along the spirtal groove and receives a vibratory signal. This is transmitted to the speaker cone 146 for amplification through the transmitting bar 166 to produce an audible sound during the operation of the crank 114.

The pivotal connection between the pivot support 156 and the pin 158 allows the pickup arm 142 to pivot about the pin 158 enabling the stylus 164 to follow the spiral groove. The pickup fulcrum is of sufficient width to insure contact with the transmitting bar 166 along the entire path of travel of the arm 142.

The reset mechanism 20 is arranged to reestablish the initial relationship between the pickup arm stylus 164 and the record disc 140 upon the completion of each cycle of events. The reset mechanism includes a generally h-shaped lever 168 including a vertical leg 170' having a length approximately equal to the distace between the bottom wall 24 and the flange 30 of the top wall 26. This vertical leg is of a generally T-shaped cross section and is retained within the T-shaped slot 103 formed in the horizontal support 101. The vertical leg 170 is slidably retained in the slot 103.

A reaction spring 172 is disposed intermediate the bottom wall 24 of the case and an enlarged flange 174 formed on the vertical leg 170 adjacent its lowermost end. An opposite end 176 defines a contact surface disposed adjacent the portion of the retention flange 30 of the top wall 26 of the case positioned opposite the hinge 34 which is positioned to engage the lid 32 when the lid is in the closed position.

A limit stop 178 is provided on the vertical leg intermediate the enlarged flange 174 and the horizontal support 101 defining the slot 103. The limit stop is larger than the T-shaped slot and contacts the horizontal support 101 to limit upward movement of the vertical leg. The length of the vertical leg and the position of the limit stop are arranged such that when the lid 32 of the case 12 is closed, it contacts the end 176 of the leg and urges it downwardly against the spring biasing force. In this position the limit stop 178 is spaced from the horizontal support 101. When the lid 32 is open the spring 172 urges the vertical leg upwardly until the limit stop 17 8 contacts the horizontal support 101. In this position the contact surface 176 extends upwardly through the opening 28 above the retention flange 30.

The vertical leg 170 is connected by a horizontal bar 1 to a vertical camming leg 182 associated with the horizontally directed stop surface 110. The camming leg extends through the slot 112 and is adapted for sliding movement within the slot. As can be seen therefore, the reset mechanism 20 is guided for vertical movement by the T -shaped slot 103 and the slot 112 of the horizontally directed stop surface 110.

The camming leg 182 includes a protruding angularly directed cam 184 adapted for engagement with the pickup arm 142 of the sound reproduction mechanism 18 as best seen in FIGURE 7. When the reset mechanism 20 is in its lowermost position with the lid 32 closed, the cam 184 urges the head 162 of the pickup arm 142 into sliding contact with the horizontally directed stop surface and transversely in a direction away from the record disc against the action of the spring 160. The conical shape of the aperture 159 accommodates this movement of the arm with respect to the support pin 158. The above described action removes the stylus 164 from the spiral groove if the record and positions the stylus for engagement with the record groove at the proper position. When the lid 32 begins to move upwardly, the reaction spring 172 urges the reset mechanism in an upward direction and the cam 184 moves away from the pickup arm 142 allowing the head 162 to slide along the stop surface 110 in response to the force of spring 160 to engage the stylus 164 with the record groove. Upon completion of a cycle of operation and closure of the lid, the reset mechanism is urged downwardly. Initial contact of the cam 184 with the pickup arm 142 urges the head 162 away from the record disc 140 separating the stylus from the record groove. Continued downward movement of the reset mechanism causes the pickup arm 142 to pivot about the pin 158 and returns to its initial position with the head 162 contacting the stop surface 110. In this manner the sound reproducing mechanism is reset for repetition of the cycle.

Operation of the device is initiated by rotation of the crank handle 116 which concurrently imparts a rotation effort to the record disc 140 directly through the crank 114 and to the take-up reel 128 through the speed reduction gear set 120 and output shaft 122. Rotation of the take-up reel 128 causes the elevating cable 126 to wind upon the reel within the V-shaped groove 132, thus effectively reducing the length of the cable. This in turn, by virtue of the connection between the cable 132 and the mounting pin 88, causes the end 86 of the lowermost link supported in the slots 62 to move slowly in a direction toward the end 84 of the lowermost link supported in the aperture 60. This action causes the scissors linkage 52 to expand urging the head portion 39 of the doll 14 upwardly and into contact with the lid 32.

Continued operation causes the scissors linkage 52 to further expand causing the head portion 39 to open the lid and rise vertically from the opening 28, as shown in FIGURE 1b. As the head portion continues to rise the transversely extending actuator 76 engages the U-shaped contacts 37 of the formed wire 36 which pivots to allow free movement of the actuator outwardly of the opening.

The elevating cable 136 continues to be wound upon the take-up reel 128 until the maximum extended position is reached as shown in FIGURE 10. At this point the lid 32 is generally vertically disposed.

Simultaneously with the opening of the lid 32 the hshaped lever 168 is freed for upward movement in response to the force of the spring 172. This movement removes the cam 184 from its position of interference with the pickup arm 142 allowing the head 162 to move along the stop surface 110 toward the record disc 140 until the stylus 164 engages the record disc grooves. As the record continues to rotate the stylus follows the groove and transmits vibratory signals to the sound reproducing cone 146 through the pickup arm transmitting bar 166 and pickup fulcrum 148.

When the fanciful figure 14 approaches its maximum extended position, the elevating cable 136 begins to contact the tapered release ramp 134. When the critical contact between the cable 136 and reel 128 reaches the release ramp the fanciful figure 14 reaches its maximum extended position. At this point the cable 136 slips from the ramp releasing the cable from the groove 132 to its initial condition and is ready for repetition of the cycle. The scissors linkage 52 then quickly collapses to its initial position causing the fanciful figure to rapidly return to the case. As the transversely extending actuator 76 moved downwardly it again engages the U-shaped contacts 37 of the formed wire 36. However, the wire 36, because of the engagement of the reaction arm 38 and the lid 32, is unable to pivot in the backets 35 and the actuator imparts a force upon the lid 32 causing it to follow the head portion 39 of the doll 14 downwardly and close.

Closure of the lid 32 causes the lid to engage the contact end 176 of the lever 168 causing it to move downwardly against the spring 172. The cam 184 engages the pickup arm 142 and urges it in a direction away from the record disc disengaging the stylus 134 from the record grooves. Continued downward movement of the lever 168 causes the cam leg 182 to urge the pickup arm head 162 downward to its original position to contact with the stop surface 110. Thus, both the physical action and sound reproduction mechanisms are automatically reset for repetition of the operating cycle.

As can be seen, a jack-in-the-box type toy has been provided which includes unique physical action coupled with coordinated sound reproduction which includes means for automatically recycling the operating elements.

Various features of the invention have been shown and described. However, it should be obvious that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A jack-in-the-box type toy comprising; a hollow case including a wall defining an opening, a fanciful figure disposed within said case, elevating means connected between said case and said fanciful figure extending said figure from said case through said opening in response to application of an elevating force thereto, and being collapsible to return said figure to its initial position upon removal of said elevating force, a sound reproducing mechanism within said case, including signal produc ing means and signal receiving means adapted to produce audible sound upon relative movement therebetween, and an operating mechanism connected to said elevating means and said sound reproducing mechanism to apply an elevating force to said elevating means and cause relative movement between said signal producing means and signal receiving means, said operating mechanism including release means effective to remove said elevating force from said elevating means at a predetermined extended position of said fanciful figure.

2. A jack-in-the-box type toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elevating means includes a scissors linkage having a plurality of pivotally connected links defining at least one pivotable parallelogram structure, one of said links having an end pivotally connected to said case and another of said links having an end slidably connected thereto, said operating mechanism being connected to said slidable end to apply said elevating force thereto to urge said slidable end toward said pivotal end to extend said linkage.

3. A jack-in-the-box type toy as claimed in claim 2 wherein said operating mechanism includes a rotatable take-up reel supported within said case, an elevating cable connected between said take-up reel and said slidable end of said link, rotation of said reel causing said cable to wind upon said reel to tension said cable and apply said elevating force to said link.

4. A jack-in-the-box type toy as claimed in claim 3 wherein said release means includes a tapered release ramp formed upon said take-up reel, contact of said tensiond cable with said ramp urging said cable from said reel allowing said linkage to collapse to its initial position.

5. A jack-in-the-box type toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein said case includes a lid pivotally connected thereto in overlying relation to said opening and movable between open and closed positions, extension of said fanciful figure causing said figure to contact said lid to urge said lid to said open position, said lid including means pivotally connected thereto defining at least one contact extending generally normally of said lid and at least one reaction arm extending generally parallel to said lid and an actuator connected to said fanciful figure disposed to engage said contact upon extension of said figure to pivot said reaction arm away from said lid and to engage said contact upon return of said figure to urge said reaction arm into contact with said lid to close said lid.

6. A jack-in-the-box type toy as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signal producing means include a rotatable record disc defining a spiral groove adapted to induce a vibratory signal and said signal receiving means includes a pickup stylus adapted for engagement with said groove, a speaker for amplifying said signal and a pivotal pickup arm carrying said stylus and biased into engagement with said speaker for transmission of said vibratory signal thereto.

7. A jack-in-the-box type toy as claimed in claim 3 wherein said signal producing means include a rotatable record disc defining a spiral groove adapted to induce a vibratory signal and said signal receiving means includes a pickup stylus adapted for engagement with said groove, a speaker for amplifying said signal and a pivotal pickup arm carrying said stylus and biased into engagement with said speaker for transmission of said vibratory signal thereto.

8. A jack-in-the-box type toy as claimed in claim 7 wherein said operating mechanism includes a rotatable operating crank extending from said case and connected to said take-up reel to effect rotation thereof, and said record disc is secured to said operating crank for rotation therewith.

9. A jack-in-the-box type toy as claimed in claim 8 wherein said crank is connected to said take-up reel by a speed reduction gear train.

10. A jack-in-the-box type toy as claimed in claim 9 wherein said case includes a lid pivotally connected thereto in overlying relation to said opening movable between open and closed positions in response to extension and return of said fanciful figure, a stop connected to said case adapted to contact said pickup arm to establish an initial relationship between said stylus and said groove, and said sound reproducing mechanism includes reset means including a spring biased lever disposed in a first position in contact with said lid when said lid is closed and movable to a second position when said lid is open, said arm including a cam contacting said pickup arm when in said first position separating said stylus and said groove and urging said pickup arm into contact with said stop, movement of said lever to said second position disengaging said cam and said pickup arm, closure of said lid causing said lever to return to said first position, said cam to disengage said stylus and said groove and urge said pickup arm into contact with said stop.

11. A jack-in-the-box type toy as claimed in claim 10 wherein said release means includes a tapered release ramp formed upon said take-up reel, contact of said tensioned cable with said ramp urging said cable from said reel allowing said linkage to collapse to its initial position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1966 Poynter 46-118 XR 6/1962 Duncan 46-117 XR US. Cl. X.R. 46146 

